THREE YOUTHS CHARGED

Chronicle (Levin), 5 June 1946, Page 2

THREE YOUTHS CHARGED

HELP UP WOMAN IN SWEET SHOP WELLINGTON, June 4. Three young men, Michaol David Marsh, aged 18, labourcr; Jolxii MulJaney, aged 21, a farinhand; aud Dennis Arxiold Cyril Pricstley, appearod before Justiccs in the Lower Hutt Magistrate's Court today cliarged that, being armed with a .38 rcvolver, they robbed Ada Anne Joues who was in a confcctioncry shop in Lower Hutt, of £4 14s (5d. Tliey pleaded guiltv and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentenee. Evidence was given by Ada Joncs regarding the liold-up in which sho stated a mau come into th6 shop on the night of May 27 when she had her back turned to tho counter. She turned and savv liiin taking bankuotes from the till. He presented a revolvcr and told her not to seream. The luan luid his face covered^ with a haudkerchief and backed from the shop, after which she gavc the alarm. Detective W. C. Harper describcd tho arrest of the three men near the Petone railway crossing and of the police taking a revolvcr loaded in fiye chaiubers from Alarsh, a short time af toi' - Ihe robbery had taken place. The men, he said, were slanding outside a petrol bowser near the Petone railway station, endeavouring to stop motor cars, ap- ; parently with the intention of securing! a lift into Wellington. The police car; vvcnt further up the road and tlien caiuel back to meet tliem. Witness and two other police officers in the car • then searclied the three men for arms. Other police evidence dealt with statements made by the accused, oue by Marsh asserting that he was re- j sponsible for tlie crlmc. The state- 1 ment made to the ]»olice by Pricstley said that on the night of ALay 27 they' had gone out to Lower Hutt from Wellington aud it was then suggested ' they should hold up a shop. Mullaney and l'riestley were not keeu on tliis. , Marsh entered the sweet shop in tho j De Luxe Theatre while tliey waitod • outside. They knew Marsh inteiuled' robbing the shop. Marsh then rau out and they caught a bus for Wellington | but got off at Petone.